Our NHS has always been at the forefront of Government policy and the last two years has shown just how important every key worker is who works tirelessly to support us all in our time of need. From the porters, security staff, and administers, to the junior doctors, scientists, nurses, and consultants, every member of our NHS has shown just how essential they are to delivering the best care in the world.
Essex Cardiothoracic Centre
In Basildon we are extremely fortunate to have a centre of excellence. The Essex Cardiothoracic Centre offers a range of services for people who need specialist treatment for heart and lung conditions.
I have visited on a number of occasions to see the excellent work that they undertake. This centre of excellence means that residents can access the best of the best treatment, if and when needed.
Targeted Lung Health Check
A joint targeted lung health check service is being run between Thurrock and Luton. Over 4000 people have already been sent an invite to have a lung health check, which is initially done over the phone. Around 40% of people have taken up the opportunity receive a virtual consultation, which determines if they might need a low dose CT scan of their lungs. Figures up to March last year show that 355 people have had a scan and around 25% of those people had been found to have symptoms that needed further investigation or treatment.
I was lucky to visit one of the mobile facilities in Tilbury in May 2021, where I saw just how important it is to detect cancer early and that treating them sooner means better outcomes for people.
Thanks to this targeted lung health check we are able to identify lung cancers earlier here in Thurrock and I urge people come forward when they are invited for a screening.
This programme is scheduled to run for a further year and additional information can be found here: https://www.lutonandthurrocklunghealthcheck.nhs.uk/index.php
Local Health Hubs
There are now six local health hubs, which ensure that we have local access in Thurrock to our NHS, delivering the same level of care. These local hubs mean access is conveniently available for constituents needing everyday care. Whilst Basildon Hospital ensures that for more serious care needs constituents receive more specialised assistance when needed.
Further information about your local health hub can be found here: https://thurrockccg.nhs.uk/your-health/primary-care/thurrock-health-hubs
NHS Future
The main priority is to now clear the backlog of care which has been caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and continue with the historic funding packages which the Conservative Government has put in place.
The NHS Long Term Plan seeks to target this backlog, through the biggest catch-up programme in the NHS’s history.
In the 2021 Spending Review, over £8 billion has been committed to help overcome the backlog and this includes delivering millions more checks, scans and procedures.
This additional funding will help towards delivering the equivalent of around 9 million more checks, scans and procedures and will mean NHS England can aim to deliver around 30 per cent more elective activity by 2024-25 than before the pandemic.
The Conservatives have been running our NHS for 44 of its 71 years and will ensure that our NHS remains free at the point of use as well as providing the NHS with its biggest cash boost in history and making sure this funding gets to our local hospital and GPs.
I will always support our NHS and champion those who work to save lives and protect our health on a daily basis.
